Winter's Bite

SPEAKER_1 (0:02)

Get ready for an explosive grand finale. Petrified Dreams by 10-time Bram Stoker award-winning author Joe R. Lansdale will soon be storming bookstores everywhere. This dark, razor-sharp, and utterly intense conclusion to the beloved Hap and Leonard series delivers everything fans have come to crave. Gritty, deep-south atmosphere, razor-wire tension, and a terrifying villain known only as the artist. After calling it quits, longtime partners Hap Collins and Leonard Pine are yanked out of retirement for one final, unforgettable case, the 15th and last installment in Lansdale's iconic crime series. Petrified Dreams drops October 6th in hardcover ebook and audio. Pre-order now from your favorite retailer, and prepare to plunge back into the twisted, hilarious, and downright dangerous world of Hap and Leonard one last time.

Welcome, friend. Have a seat by the fire. Make yourself comfortable.

The flesh rebelled in increments. Tendons drew tight as wire, joints swelled and cracked, teeth throbbed in their sockets, longing for violence. Fingernails darkened, split and sharpened. Every nerve ending was aflame. Yet pain was the least of it. For while the body was being remade, the soul stood helplessly aside and watched its house taken room by room. Reason was lost. Love, shame, language. Each was stripped away and swallowed by a dreadful, unrelenting hunger.

You're listening to Campfire Radio Theater. Tonight's play provides a stark reminder of the bitter struggle between predator and prey.

From the wicked pin of John Ballantyne comes a frozen nightmare we call Winter's Bite.

SPEAKER_2 (3:32)

It's been nearly a year since 8-year-old Lily Deacon vanished from her backyard in the Rainy Ridge community near International Falls. The young girl was playing outside as dusk fell when she suddenly disappeared, leaving only strange animal tracks in the snow.

Despite an extensive search led by Sheriff Lena Vargas, Lily has never been found.

SPEAKER_3 (3:56)

We combed those woods for days, every lead, every track. We're still treating this as an active missing persons investigation and asking anyone with information to come forward.

SPEAKER_4 (4:06)

She was right there.

SPEAKER_5 (4:09)

I mean, one minute laughing, the next. I just, I want my daughter back.

SPEAKER_6 (4:18)

It's terrifying, just terrifying.

We keep our kids inside after dark now. Never, never had to do that before. Those tracks, they didn't look like any animal I've ever seen.

SPEAKER_7 (4:33)

Folks around here are scared, but we've all heard stories about things coming down from the wilderness when the moon is full. Who knows what's lurking out there?

SPEAKER_2 (4:46)

Authorities continue to follow all leads. If you have information regarding Lily Deacon's disappearance, we encourage you to contact the Sheriff's Office.

SPEAKER_5 (5:25)

A familiar ghost. They should be accustomed to it. Police lights, hushed voices. The way the whole cul-de-sac holds its collective breath. A rude awakening after an all-night bender.

Hey, Alex.

SPEAKER_3 (5:44)

You hear what went down last night?

SPEAKER_5 (5:47)

Whatever it is won't sit well with the HOA. All right, folks. Step back. Step back.

SPEAKER_2 (5:53)

Stay behind the yellow table.

SPEAKER_5 (5:55)

Looks like the Ferguson house. Something happened with Joe or Bonnie? The kids?

SPEAKER_7 (6:00)

The way I hear it, it's Joe.

SPEAKER_5 (6:03)

You know how he likes to step out at night, stargaze? I think he might have been attacked by a rogue bear.

SPEAKER_7 (6:09)

Nah, bears are still hibernating.

SPEAKER_5 (6:12)

Morning, Travis.

SPEAKER_7 (6:14)

Yeah, morning.

SPEAKER_5 (6:16)

All right, what's your guess then, smartass?

SPEAKER_7 (6:19)

You see the forensics guys coming to the ground, putting away tiny pieces of something with little baggies? Joe?

Mm-hmm.

SPEAKER_3 (6:29)

Right, right, folks. I'm gonna have to ask you to disperse. We've got an investigation going on around the Ferguson home. We need room to conduct it.

There may be evidence even outside the yellow tape lines that you're trampling right now.

SPEAKER_1 (6:44)

What happened last night, Sheriff?

SPEAKER_3 (6:46)

As soon as we have all the facts, we'll fill you in. In the meantime, has anybody heard or saw something that might help us get to the bottom of this?

Let us know.

SPEAKER_2 (6:56)

Seems a lot like what happened last year. Why can't you keep us safe here?

SPEAKER_3 (7:00)

We're doing everything we can, I assure you.

SPEAKER_7 (7:06)

They know what it is. They're just afraid to say.

Normal animals don't do shit like that. Tear apart a man just to sport.

SPEAKER_3 (7:17)

So what's your theory, Travis?

SPEAKER_5 (7:20)

Alien dogmen?

SPEAKER_7 (7:21)

Sasquatch?

It was a full moon last night. You figure it out.

SPEAKER_1 (7:27)

Okay.

SPEAKER_7 (7:29)

Could be anybody in this neighborhood hiding in plain sight.

SPEAKER_5 (7:34)

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Our neighbors are werewolves now. Got it.

SPEAKER_7 (7:37)